Assistant Operations Manager

Assistant Manager – Marine Operations / Ship Repair

We are looking for an experienced Assistant Manager to support our Operations Manager in the safe, efficient and commercially successful delivery of ship repair, dry-docking and marine engineering projects.

This is a hands-on operational leadership role for someone with significant ship repair experience who is comfortable coordinating multiple trades, contractors and customers in a fast-paced marine environment.

The Role

Working closely with the Operations Manager, you will help oversee dry dockings, vessel refits, workshop activities, floating repairs and work undertaken at off-site locations.

You will play a key role in ensuring projects are completed safely, on time, within budget and to the required quality standards, while maintaining strong relationships with vessel superintendents, customers, contractors and the wider workforce.

During the Operations Manager’s absence, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day operational requirements of the role.

Key Responsibilities

You will:

• Assist with the planning, coordination and delivery of vessel dry dockings and refits.
• Oversee operational work across the yard, workshop, vessels and off-site locations.
• Manage employees, specialist contractors and subcontractors to ensure resources are used effectively, developed and supported.
• Monitor progress and report regularly to the Operations Manager.
• Attend daily progress meetings with vessel superintendents, supervisors and contractors.
• Liaise directly with vessel superintendents to understand requirements and manage variations during docking projects.
• Organise labour and other resources according to operational requirements.
• Help ensure projects are delivered within agreed budgets and timescales.
• Maintain strong customer relationships throughout projects.
• Ensure permit-to-work requirements, risk assessments and method statements are followed.
• Promote a strong health and safety culture, including the Company’s Stop the Job approach.
• Support the Company’s objective of achieving zero accidents.
• Support environmental initiatives, including the Company’s zero waste to landfill objective.
• Ensure work is completed to the required quality standards and in accordance with Company procedures.
• Support the implementation and maintenance of applicable ISO management standards.
• Mentor and support trade apprentices in their training and development.
• Assist with the introduction and implementation of new operational policies and procedures.

About You

We are looking for someone who brings:

• Considerable experience within the marine, ship repair or related industry.
• Strong knowledge of ship repair, dry-docking and vessel refit operations.
• Experience managing complex projects involving multiple trades and subcontractors.
• Strong operational and project management skills.
• Experience managing project or operational budgets, ideally with responsibility for values of approximately £10 million.
• Experience supporting business growth initiatives and their implementation.
• Strong understanding of health, safety, environmental and quality requirements.
• Confidence working directly with vessel superintendents, customers and contractors.
• Strong leadership, planning, communication and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.

Qualifications & Experience

Ideally, you will have:

• A relevant Project Management qualification.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project or Primavera P6.
• A relevant HSEQ qualification such as IOSH or NEBOSH.
• A relevant ship repair, marine engineering or equivalent technical qualification.
• P&L or significant project budget management experience.
• Previous Dock Master experience would be advantageous.

Why This Role?

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced marine professional ready to take on broader operational responsibility and play an important role in the successful delivery of complex vessel repair and dry-docking projects.

You’ll work closely with operational leadership while having significant responsibility for project delivery, people, safety, quality, customer relationships and commercial performance.

If you have strong ship repair experience and are ready for the next step in your operational leadership career, we’d like to hear from you.